Grand Rapids Chamber joins statewide labor, education, real estate, environmental groups to say: Vote NO on Con-Con to avoid risky changes to MI Constitution
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, the West Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, Michigan Realtors®, the Michigan Education Association (MEA), and the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) on Thursday joined together to urge a NO vote on a Constitutional Convention, a ballot question that voters will face in November.
Representing a wide range of interests and policy priorities including education, business and environmental protections, several influential organizations participated in a press conference on Thursday with Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests (PMCFSI). Together, they are encouraging a NO vote on Proposal 1 on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, ballot that will ask Michiganders whether to support calling a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).
The broad-based coalition is working together to help ensure the state’s governing document cannot be opened to a total rewrite by special interests in a way that sidelines voters.
“A Constitutional Convention would risk the pro-growth environment we have worked hard to build in West Michigan,” said Christine Simon, vice president of government affairs for the Grand Rapids Chamber, which has more than 3,000 business members that range from small businesses to global corporations. “Businesses in West Michigan, and throughout the state, depend on certainty and stability to invest, expand and create jobs. A lengthy Con-Con would create chaos and confusion that could slow economic growth and hinder job creation. It’s simply too great a risk for Michigan’s future.”
A Con-Con would cost nearly $80 million, according to a preliminary analysis by the Senate Fiscal Agency. The high cost would prevent needed funding from being used to help solve real problems in Michigan that impact families, seniors and young people.
The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition is a statewide nonprofit organization working on policy that creates a clean, healthy and safe environment for Michiganders.
“Communities across Michigan have worked for decades to advance policies aimed at protecting our air, land and water,” said Wesley Watson, Grand Rapids policy associate for the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition. “A Con-Con could jeopardize the progress we've made to protect the health and well-being of Michigan families. We should build on those protections — not put them at risk through a lengthy and unpredictable Con-Con.”
The West Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council brings together all skilled trade unions in West Michigan to raise awareness of labor issues, coordinate activities among various unions and engage workers, the community and other partners for the benefit of working people.
“The Michigan Constitution protects fundamental rights that generations of workers have fought to secure,” said Ryan Bennett, business manager of West Michigan Plumbers Fitters and Service Trades UA Local 174 and president of the West Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. “Opening the state’s governing document to rewrite through a Con-Con puts those hard-earned protections at risk. Any changes to our constitution should continue to be considered through the deliberate, voter-driven amendment process we already have in place.”
Michigan Realtors®, which has more than 35,000 members, is the public policy and legal advocate for private property rights and the real estate industry in Michigan.
“Homeowners and businesses, buyers and sellers, builders and developers across our state are already dealing with significant economic uncertainty, and a prolonged, unpredictable Con-Con would only add more confusion and instability,” said Michael Childress, policy committee chair for Michigan Realtors®. “Michigan’s economy is strongest when consumers and businesses have confidence and certainty. A Con-Con would do just the opposite.”
A Con-Con could create significant uncertainty for Michigan’s education system, raising concerns about changes to school funding and education policy that could hurt learning, said Kat Sibalwa, Kent County chair, Michigan Education Association (MEA), which represents approximately 120,000 school employees across Michigan, advocating for quality public education for students and the rights of its members. It could also open the door to school voucher proposals that would redirect taxpayer dollars from neighborhood public schools to private schools, reducing resources for students in rural, urban and suburban communities.
“A Con-Con could weaken neighborhood public schools and create uncertainty for students, families and educators,” Sibalwa said. “Our priority should be protecting public education in Michigan, which is why we’re asking parents, educators and community members to stand up for our students and vote NO on Proposal 1.”
SBAM represents more than 33,000 small businesses in each of the state’s 83 counties. Michigan could lose out on untold millions – maybe even billions – of dollars of economic activity during the long, drawn-out process of a Con-Con, said Kelli Saunders, vice president for policy and engagement for SBAM.
“Michigan’s small businesses continue to face rising costs and workforce shortages,” Saunders said. “The last thing employers need is the uncertainty that would come with opening the state constitution to a total rewrite. A NO vote on Proposal 1 is a YES vote for job creators, entrepreneurs and industries who call Michigan home.”
Protect MI Constitution from Special Interests is continuing to grow its supporter network. To join the list of supporters and find ways to help, visit protectmiconstitution.com.
###